Aquatic athletes train hard — whether in swimming, artistic swimming (formerly called synchronized swimming), diving, or water polo. The hours spent in the pool build strength, endurance, and skill, but they also put repetitive stress on the body. Over time, this can lead to nagging pain or injuries that hold athletes back.
At Progressive Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, our aquatic rehab program is led by Rachel Rosolowski, DPT. She grew up competing in artistic swimming, water polo, and swimming, and went on to compete at the Division I collegiate level. Today, she shares her experience by coaching with the Meraquas team in Irvine, where many of the athletes compete internationally. She also supports the Unsyncables, a masters-level adult team in La Mirada, and continues to give back to the sport as a competition judge. She knows from personal experience the physical demands of training in the water — and how frustrating it can be to sit out when injuries strike.
“I’ve lived artistic swimming and water polo myself, so I know firsthand how the shoulder, hip, and core are challenged in the water,” says Rachel. “My goal is to help aquatic athletes build strength on land so they can perform their best in the pool — and stay there.”
Why Land-Based Therapy Matters
The water provides buoyancy and resistance, but it can also hide weaknesses. On land, those imbalances show up more clearly. That’s where physical therapy makes a difference:
- Spotting imbalances that contribute to recurring pain.
- Rebuilding strength and stability in the shoulders, hips, and core.
- Improving body control and movement patterns that carry back into the water.
- Easing athletes back into training safely so they can perform without setbacks.
Common Injuries in Aquatic Athletes
| Sport | Typical Issues | What PT Focuses On |
|---|---|---|
| Swimming | Shoulder soreness, back tightness, fatigue from long sets | Building shoulder stability, core strength, and better stroke mechanics |
| Artistic Swimming (formerly synchronized) | Hip and groin strain, low back pain, foot/ankle stress from pointed toes and sculling | Hip and core control, strength for eggbeater kicks, safe flexibility |
| Diving | Back pain from arching, shoulder strain from repetitive entries | Core stability, safe take-off mechanics, controlled land-to-water progressions |
| Water Polo | Shoulder overuse, hip/core fatigue, contact injuries | Strength for throwing, endurance for treading, injury prevention in high-intensity play |
These injuries don’t just come from poor technique — they’re built into the demands of the sport. That’s why recovery needs to focus on the whole athlete, not just the painful area.
Our Approach
At Progressive PT, aquatic rehab is about more than treating symptoms. Our program includes:
- Personalized evaluation – looking at how each athlete moves, both on land and in water-related patterns.
- Hands-on treatment – easing tightness, improving motion, and addressing compensations.
- Targeted exercise – tailored to the athlete’s sport, position, and training demands.
- Return-to-sport progression – easing back into pool training while building durability.
- Education and prevention – teaching athletes how to manage workload and avoid repeat injuries.
And while it’s not the main focus, Rachel also has experience helping athletes with joint hypermobility. For swimmers and artistic swimmers who may be naturally more flexible, this expertise allows her to adapt programs that emphasize stability and control without sacrificing performance.
The Bottom Line
Aquatic athletes deserve care that understands both the demands of the sport and the athlete behind it. With her background in artistic swimming and water polo, Rachel Rosolowski, DPT offers a unique perspective: she’s lived the sport and now helps athletes recover, rebuild, and return stronger.
Whether you’re a swimmer logging long sets, a water polo player pushing through high-intensity matches, an artistic swimmer chasing precision, or a diver perfecting your entries — we’ll help you stay strong in and out of the water.
We are Here to Help
If you have failed PT elsewhere, not seeing improvements or reduction of pain in your current exercise program, or looking to get started and need a little help with setting up a program customized for your situation, give us a call today to schedule an evaluation.